Renault Clio RS MOT pass rate and common problems
90.3% of 7,754 Renault Clio RS MOT tests pass.
The Clio RS passes its MOT 90.3% of the time — well above the average across all Renault models, which sits at 69.5%.
The Renault Clio RS passes its MOT 90.3% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Renault Clio RS?
This is the average across every Renault Clio RS in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Renault’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 92.1% at 0–3 years to 89.5% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.1% | 2,370 | 19,843 miles |
| 3–6 years | 89.5% | 5,384 | 26,070 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Renault Clio RS
The most common reason the Renault Clio RS fails its MOT is tyres — present in 36.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has ply or cords exposed".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 36.5% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Visibility | 32.0% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Brakes | 20.5% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 13.4% | Too low |
| Suspension | 6.7% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.5% | Not functioning as intended |
| Steering | 2.0% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.7% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.4% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.1% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
Buying a used Renault Clio RS: what to check
These checks follow the Renault Clio RS’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Renault Clio RS comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 92.1% to 89.5%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 85.8% down to 73.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 36.5% of failed Renault Clio RS MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 32.0% of failed Renault Clio RS MOTs. 5.0% of tests at 3–6 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 2.1% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 20.5% of failed Renault Clio RS MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 13.4% of failed Renault Clio RS MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 6.7% of failed Renault Clio RS MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.2% of tests at 3–6 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Renault service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Renault models
- Renault Modus — 57.9% pass rate
- Renault Laguna — 63.0% pass rate
- Renault Zoe I — 90.2% pass rate
- Renault Koleos — 81.8% pass rate
- Renault Megane Scenic — 67.2% pass rate
- Renault Grand Modus — 58.6% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Renault Clio RS?
- 90.3% of Renault Clio RS MOT tests pass, based on 7,754 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Renault Clio RS?
- The most common reason the Renault Clio RS fails its MOT is tyres — present in 36.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has ply or cords exposed".
- What are the common problems with the Renault Clio RS?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Renault Clio RS are tyres; windscreen and wipers; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Renault Clio RS?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; windscreen and wipers; brakes; lights and electrics; suspension. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Renault Clio RS's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Renault service history guide for how to check and keep one.